Stage 8Workington to Ayr

Monday 19th June 2017

We were a mere stone’s throw away from Gretna Green as we headed over the border into Scotland – Dumfries and Galloway, to be exact. The scenery was as stunning as you would expect, and off to the right we passed the Galloway Forest Park, the UK’s first Dark Sky Park, thanks to the scarcity of artificial lights allowed within.

Culture abounds in the region. For the cult film fans, the original Wicker Man was largely filmed in and around Kirkcudbright, while Alloway, close to today’s final stage, is the birthplace of Robert Burns. And of course Ayrshire is also the supposed birthplace of Robert the Bruce – the few remains of Turnberry Castle, his childhood home, can be found near Maybole.

Located close to the seafront, The Savoy Park Hotel in Ayr marked today’s finish point.